Intensive Internships

Intensive internships allow students to spend more time at the internship by working for two consecutive semesters instead of just one. This allows student to work on longer-term projects or to rotate through different areas with their employer. Intensive internships are usually coordinated between a student and their employer during the initial internship offer and typically take place during summer and fall or spring and summer semesters. By registering for an intensive internship with the Office of Professional Practice, students will be able to have their experience recorded on their academic transcript and maintain their full-time student status for insurance and financial aid obligations during the fall or spring semester that the student is working.

Potential Plans of Study for Intensive Internships

Below are possible plans of study for students wishing to participate in an intensive internship, though exact schedules are coordinated by students and their academic advisor and employer.

Dates: June 7th - August 15th, 2015

Eligibility: Engineering undergraduate students with a 3.0 GPA or above. All levels are welcome to apply. International students are eligible to apply, but will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. The program can accommodate 8 students.

Program Overview: ﻿Hosted by the University of California Washington Center (UCDC), this program offers valuable learning experiences in students' undergraduate careers. Students complete assignments that help develop research, writing, and critical thinking skills and gain in-depth, firsthand experience with politics, policy, media and history. This will helps students prepare for finding a full-time job and transitioning to graduate school. UCDC's Summer Program gives students unique opportunities to take courses offered by UCDC scholars and policy experts who work with students in small classroom settings to help them deepen their knowledge of a variety of topics, and sharpen their writing and critical thinking skills. All courses will be offered on weekday evenings and allow both quarter and semester students the flexibility they need to earn units while also interning full-time.

Component #1: Internship (June 8th – August 14th)

Internships are the highlight of most students’ Washington experience. Typically working three to four days a week, UC students have interned with members of Congress, the White House, cabinet agencies, advocacy groups, scientific organizations, public relation firms, and the news media. Experiences range from responding to constituent inquiries, researching legislation, assisting in laboratories and writing news stories. Participants gain valuable work experience and firsthand exposure to the capital’s policy and political process, and often leave with stories and acquaintances that last a lifetime.Students are not assigned internships. Instead they work with program administrators in Washington and on campus to find a position that matches their interests and skills. Past Purdue students have interned at NASA, C-SPAN, Army Corps of Engineers, National Air & Space Museum, University of Maryland School of Public Health, Growth Energy, Mosaic ATM, and for the staff of various members of congress.

Component #2: Science Policy Class (June 23rd – July 30th)

This course will look at the role of the federal government in science including both the support of science and the interpretation of scientific information in the policymaking process. Topics will include patterns of science funding, the debate over government- vs. private sector-driven technology development, stem cell research, military research, climate change policy, and the like.

This course will meet on Tuesday and Thursday evenings (6:30-9:30 p.m.) for four weeks and then on Tuesdays for two weeks -- for ten total course meetings. The course will be talk by Science Policy experts who have spent several years working in various high level positions in both the public and private sectors.

Click here to view the UCDC Summer Internship Program syllabus.

Housing: Students will live and take classes at the UCDC Center in down-town Washington D.C. The building is located on Rhode Island Avenue between 16th and 17th streets. The White house is several blocks away and visible from the building.

Program Costs: Students pay UCDC tuition and housing to participate in this program. The cost breakdown is as follows:

Credits: Purdue students will register for 12 units within the University of California system. They will receive a UCLA transcript and will receive 6-8 transfer credits to be used for general education or technical electives. Final determination made by the student’s academic advisor.

Application Deadline: March 1st or until spaces are filled. (8 spaces available) If selected, students will confirm commitment with a $300 deposit to be used for housing fees.

Application Procedure: Email cover letter, resume, official transcript, and one letter of recommendation to jtort@purdue.edu.